Weekend Plans in NYC: August 16–18, 2019

A Marvel villain appears on Broadway. Kimchi gets its time in the spotlight. Swing dancing makes a comeback. Never a dull moment in New York City, especially on the weekends.

Theater

Lanky and louche Brit thespian Tom Hiddleston (who has smirked his way through the Thor movie franchise as Loki) makes his Broadway debut in Harold Pinter’s tense, stylish tale of marital infidelity, Betrayal. No spoilers here: The story unspools in reverse! Through Sunday, December 8; Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 West 45th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Midtown West

Photo courtesy of Betrayal Broadway/Facebook

Eating + Drinking

Kimchi, the very popular Korean pickled vegetable, is often a supporting character in the culinary world—but not during Mama O’s annual Kimchipalooza. The fermented food takes center stage during this all-day event, where guests can take part in a spicy eating competition, participate in a drink-and-paint contest, and then dance all night long to six different bands playing throughout the evening. Sunday, August 18; 1–8 p.m.; Arrogant Swine, 173 Morgan Avenue, Bushwick

Photo by Joe Wilson/Courtesy of Mama O’s Premium Kimchi

Dance

Jive your way to Williamsburg and put your dance moves to the ultimate test at Fridays Swing! Every week beginners and experienced groovers alike come together to learn new routines and then leave it all out on the floor. 231 Ainslie Street; 7–7:30 p.m.: learn a solo jazz routine; 7:30–10 p.m.: dance!

Festival

The Bushwick Starr is back with another Summer Arts Festival, where families can participate in a number of activities—from arts and crafts (canvas designing and face painting) and games (dominoes) to live entertainment (by none other than powerhouse singer Xenia Rubinos). Sunday, August 18; 2–7 p.m.; Maria Hernandez Park, 301 Suydam Street, Bushwick

Photo courtesy of Sue Kessler

Live Music

Drummer and producer Makaya McCraven is thriving at the intersection of hip hop and jazz by exploring remixes of live shows and utilizing mixed lineups of local artists to accentuate the unique sounds of movements in London, Chicago, and New York. His superlative LP Universal Beings features some of music expert John Seroff‘s favorite tunes of 2018, so make sure to catch McCraven while he’s in NYC. Friday, August 16; 8 p.m.; Industry City Courtyard 1-2, 254 36th Street, Sunset Park

Photo courtesy of Makaya McCraven/Facebook

Film

Celebrate the life and works of Nobel Prize–winning author Toni Morrison at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Through Thursday, August 22; BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene